Introduction

Deinstitutionalization of individuals with severe mental illness transferred the responsibility of care to the relatives who need to adapt their personal life. Caregivers often develop coping strategies which involve the relationship with oneself, others, or the transcendent/God or nature and may include religious/spiritual practices.

Question/Aim

This review aims to identify the spiritual aspects of the family caregivers’ experiences when caring for a community-dwelling adult with severe mental illness.

Method

The review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for systematic reviews of qualitative evidence. Search was conducted in March 2019, updated in August 2020, limited to English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Results

A total of 26 studies were included. Two synthesized findings emerged: spiritual coping strategies are used by family caregivers; spiritual needs are expressed by family caregivers. The findings are based on the experiences of 467 caregivers, from 14 countries.

Discussion

In stressful times, family caregivers question the meaning in life and acknowledge hopelessness. To cope, caregivers mention a turn to the sacred and the use of spiritual/religious practices.

Implications for practice

Spirituality should be considered according to caregivers’ individual beliefs and needs, as may represent important resources for the sense of meaning and overall wellbeing.